Uzbekistan’s textile and sewing and knitting industry, a dynamic and rapidly developing sector, has emerged as a leader in attracting foreign investment and exporting high-value added products over the past 27 years. Despite this success, experts suggest that Uzbekistan should focus on promoting its own textile brands rather than solely producing for foreign companies.
Government programs aim to boost the volume of textile and clothing exports to $10 billion by 2027, up from $3.1 billion last year, with Uzbek products reaching 65 countries worldwide. The industry saw a 17.4% growth over the past year, achieving nearly $6.5 billion in total production value.
A significant growth driver has been the opportunities in the Russian market following the exit of Western companies after the Russian-Ukrainian conflict began in February 2022. Major brands like H&M, Zara, and Uniqlo have left Russia, allowing Uzbekistan to fill this gap with increased production and supply of knitwear to the Russian Federation.
Russia, now the largest consumer of Uzbek textiles, has seen a surge in orders from Russian clothing brands over the past two years. This demand is not just due to the departure of Western brands but also because of increased tailoring and logistics costs from traditional exporters like China and Bangladesh. Uzbekistan’s ability to quickly produce and deliver goods has given it a competitive edge.
Bakhtiyor Alimjanov, an independent international expert, emphasized Uzbekistan’s potential in the Russian market. “Uzbekistan needs to develop its own brands and high-quality production, not just sew to order for foreign companies. We have several major brands, but they need to be scaled up. Foreign tourists buy our products, but we need to produce in larger volumes and export under our name,” he stated.
Investments are crucial for further growth. “We have many production facilities, but more need to be built,” Alimjanov added. Russian-Uzbek cooperation is also expanding, with numerous agreements and joint ventures being established. For instance, the “Innoprom. Central Asia” industrial exhibition discussed cooperative ties between enterprises in the Krasnodar Territory and Uzbekistan.
Moreover, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Uztextilprom Association are launching a project to support Uzbekistan’s textile industry, with financial backing from the Russian Federation.
This collaboration benefits all parties: Uzbekistan develops its industry and increases exports, while Russia receives high-quality, affordable products that meet consumer demand. As “Made in Uzbekistan” tags become more recognized, the industry looks set for continued growth and success.
